Cactus Restaurant Review
Madison Park Seattle
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Although we had just dined at Cactus in the Proctor District of Tacoma, we were in Seattle for a few days staying at Mildred's B&B on Capitol Hill and considering dinner. We had so much fun at Cactus in Tacoma, we were anxious to try them again. Madison Park is located just between Lake Washington and Capitol Hill with virtually no traffic hassles. Our server was Shane and he made us feel welcome instantly.
We arrived at the end of a wonderfully relaxing day. We visited the Frye Art Museum, a favorite haunt of ours and Peggy also shopped for art supplies at Dick Blick. We beat the dinner crowd at Cactus and enjoyed the scenary, the quirky artwork and the atmosphere.
In Tacoma we entertained two guests. Although she could have ordered the same thing as my cousin Lavinia (Shrimp Fajita), Peggy wanted to try something on her own. At Madison Park, she ordered the Grilled Lime and Shrimp Fajita. It was colorful and tasty. The two scewers of shrimp were excellent. I love the rice with papitas (pumpkind seeds). They give a nice crunch and flavor boost. We like the lime wedges at Cactus. They were large and filled with juice.
I really like appetizers. The ceviche was much more than I expected, in volumn, not price. The price of $11.50 was very reasonable. It was coriander-lime marinated bay scallops and snapper with fresh avocado, cucumber, and tostadas pequenas. There was more than I could eat, and we couldn't take it home since we were at a B&B. Ceviche is fresh and not cooked other than being marinated, so it is extra, extra healthy.
My first time around I had ordered the beef brisket burrito. I prefer corn tortillas, so this time I ordered beef brisket tacos. I enjoyed the hand-made corn tortillas and the beef brisket had a texture of pulled pork and the crunchiness and taste of slow smoked beef brisket. It was all I had hoped for.
Peggy and I enjoy the little surprizes of art and decorations at Cactus. At the back of the diningroom and way up high was a gathering of a mariachi band. Each figure may have stood ten inches tall. The night before we had enjoyed the music of a mariachi band at a granddaughter's wedding reception, so the figures let us remember and smile.
This weekend was our first visit to Madison Park and we loved it. We returned on Sunday for lunch after packing up. I followed a man with from bar to bar. He carried a banjo and plunked it every once in a while. I was hoping that he would entertain. He never did. I moved on. We still had a long day ahead of us, so lunch on the sidewalk at Cactus was appealing.
Our Sunday server was Jordan. He made suggestions and chatted with us. He was easy going, but answered every question.
While we waited, Peg bought just the right wedding gift and finished her caligraphic art work on her card for the afternoon wedding at the Seattle Tennis Club, just a mile or so away.
We still saw menu items calling to us. Peg found her new favorite, a Smoked Chicken Quesadilla for $12.50 with bacon, poblano chile rajas, jack cheese, buttermilk crema, green onions, and charred tomato salsa. I enjoyed it, also.
My new favorite was the appetizer, Spicy Ahi Tacos $12.00 featuring spicy Baja "poke", red onion, smoked fresno aioli, and avocado, on crisp corn tortillas. The poke didn't taste spicy at all, but once I squeezed lime juice over the poke it popped and was wonderful. I didn't think I would like the stiff, crisp corn tortillas, but they worked. I usually had half a tortilla left over to use for scooping more salsa. That is not a bad thing.
Sitting on the sidewalk provides people watching fun and entertainment. A nearby couple was playing rummy. An older gentleman approached them and gave friendly advice. It provided me with a little photo op. We saw singles, couples, and families just strolling along.
For dessert I ordered Bananas Dulce for $8.00, which featured flash seared bananas with brown sugar and Myers's dark rum with toasted coconut ice cream. We also ordered the Cowgirl Brownie for $8.00 featuring a house-made Ibarra chocolate brownie, Olympic Mountain's vanilla bean ice cream, peanut butter cajeta, and a chipotle brittle. I would buy a bag of chipotle brittle if I could.
We enjoyed the meal and the service. Cactus at Madison Park is located at 4220 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112. Visit them online at Cactus Restaurants.
Cactus Restaurant Review
Madison Park - Comments and Suggestions
